Experts warn that a pro-Russian propaganda campaign has been uncovered that deceived both top executives and high-level officials.
A report by cybersecurity researcher Proofpoint says the campaign should not be taken lightly because “the damage such propaganda can do to the brand and public perception of the targeted individuals” is real.
Moreover, spreading disinformation is not something people should turn a blind eye to.
Targeting high-profile supporters of Ukraine
According to a report by Proofpoint, a known cybercriminal named TA499 (also known as Vovan or Lexus) tries to trick famous people into video or audio calls.
To this end, they sent dozens of emails, impersonating Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and his alleged assistant, Ukrainian parliamentarians, the Ukrainian Embassy in the US, and the like.
These emails typically target high-level individuals and public figures who have already publicly spoken out against the Russian invasion of Ukraine or otherwise helped the cause (for example, through donations to the Ukrainian government and military).
Among those targeted by the hackers are those who supported the law to arm Ukraine against Russia, those who supported the sanctions on the Nord Stream II pipeline, and those who supported the bombing of Russian military assets as well as other military activities.
Those who eventually take the bait will sit down for a chat with someone who looks very similar to the person they thought they initially contacted. According to Proofpoint, scammers use excessive makeup or AI to create convincing deepfake videos. Scammers, however, deny using any artificial intelligence.
Those who still do not realize that it was all a trap (due to not knowing the people they are talking to) will be recorded. After a brief exchange, the conversation turns to banter in order to get the guest to make embarrassing comments or behavior. The recordings are then edited for emphasis and posted on YouTube and Twitter.